Hurricane Irma can be viewed as a three-tiered event. First, the weeks leading up to landfall – the stress that comes from watching a promising forecast morph into imminent peril. Then we weather the literal storm – to some, this seems to be the easiest of the three tiers. Finally, the most arduous part of the event to most: recovery.

What is the most difficult aspect of surviving a major hurricane? Is it going without power? Without water? Waiting in long lines for gasoline for your cars and generators? For many, it is the loss of wages and the insurmountable costs associated with recovery.

As always, with great catastrophe comes financial hardship. From making homes livable again to clearing fallen trees, money will be spent, and sometimes people need help achieving equilibrium.

Collier County has taken steps to aid those who are in need due to the damages inflicted by Hurricane Irma.

On Oct. 10, the County Commission approved the use of $3.3 million of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to provide Hurricane Irma disaster relief to qualifying Collier County citizens. The Community and Human Services (CHS) Division will facilitate the distribution of funds to qualifying residents.

A limited pool of SHIP funds is being made available at varying income levels to assist homeowners with damages resulting from Hurricane Irma. All households will need to income qualify. There are three programs available: disaster mitigation, owner-occupied rehabilitation, and demolition and replacement of site-built mobile/manufactured housing.

Those who income qualify may be reimbursed for expenses for repairs that already have been paid for and/or planned repairs. Qualified homeowners may utilize the funds for insurance deductible reimbursement. Some of the funds will be available as grants and others as loans.

Applications are taken daily at the CHS offices at 3339 U.S. 41 E., Room 211, Naples. Additionally, two temporary field offices will be open through Wednesday, Oct. 18:

+ Roberts Center, 905 Roberts Ave. W., Immokalee

+ Everglades Airpark, 650 E.C. Airpark Road, Everglades City

I encourage everyone to explore the qualifications for these funds. As part of the CHS mission, we must strive to ensure the community has safe and livable housing.

Providing support by using these state dollars to aid recovery at the county level is imperative to healing our community, especially for those at moderate to very low income levels. As community leaders, it is our duty to ensure that every opportunity is made available to our citizens to maintain a safe, livable and healthy life.

For general information, residents may call 239-252-2273. More information is available online at http://www.colliergov.net/your-government/divisions-a-e/community-and-human-services.

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